Charles A "Bud" Dowd

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Age 88, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2014 in Reno Nevada.

Bud was born February 7, 1926 in Wadsworth, Ohio son of Charles Augustus Dowd and Amy Crawford Dowd. He grew up on a farm near Seville, Ohio. By his own account he had a wonderful childhood, influenced by his loving mother and father, his Uncle Dudley and plenty of chores. He was also close to his three older sisters, Eloween, Luella and Mina, all whom he greatly respected and loved. He was baptized at the age of 12 in the Seville Presbyterian Church which had been built by his grandfather, D. D. Dowd.

At 17 Bud joined the Navy, completed a 16 month officer training program and earned the rank of Ensign. He served as an officer on the U.S.S. Fairbault in the south pacific just after WW II ended.

After the Navy Bud obtained an undergraduate degree from Ohio State and a Masters in Education from Oregon State University. He married his first wife, Barbara Peterson, moved to Canyonville, Oregon where he taught high school, and later became an employee of Hanna Mining, which eventually led him to become a Land Man and Vice President of numerous mining companies owned by Hanna. He retired from Hanna at the age of 62.

He had a passion for education. He served on the School Board for Canyonville High School, helped form a consolidated school district with neighboring towns and became chairman of the South Umpqua High School Board. Later he became a founder of the area’s first community college, Umpqua Community College, and served many years on its board.

During his lifetime Bud helped many people in many ways, giving of his time, advice and money. He was a really good guy, and we will miss him.

Bud is survived by his sons Brice F. Dowd and Christian C. Dowd and his sister Mina Schuster. A memorial service will be held on August 2, 2014 at Mound Hill Cemetery, East Main St., Seville, Ohio. Friends may send inquires to cdowd1926@gmail.com